The Red Crucifix orchid at the top has formations which look like the crucifix. It has two colours, the red and yellow one like the one on top , and a deeper red one. The flowers are bright and long lasting. Many times I mistook the flowers for the flowers of the Butterfly Weed
Asclepia(below), from a distance. It was only when I read the wonderful article 'Love and Lies' by Michael Pollan in the National Georaphic magazine of September2009 yesterday, that I understood that the resemblance was not serendipity,but deliberate.
The orchids want the pollinators to come to them. Since they have neither scent nor nectar to offer, they resort to deception! Butterflies which love asclepias descend on the orchid, thinking them to be their favourite flowers.
The Red Crucifix orchid at the top has formations which look like the crucifix. It has two colours, the red and yellow one like the one on top , and a deeper red one. The flowers are bright and long lasting. Many times I mistook the flowers for the flowers of the Butterfly Weed Asclepia(below), from a distance. It was only when I read the wonderful article 'Love and Lies' by Michael Pollan in the National Georaphic magazine of September2009 yesterday, that I understood that the resemblance was not serendipity,but deliberate.
The orchids want the pollinators to come to them. Since they have neither scent nor nectar to offer, they resort to deception! Butterflies which love asclepias descend on the orchid, thinking them to be their favourite flowers.
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